(LEFT) Sheridan defenders Alex Cravens and Jaden Dunbar sack the quarterback in the end zone and force a fumble, which Dunbar recovered for the Blackhawks first score of the season on their way to a 32-29 win. (RIGHT) Sheridan coach Jake Chesney talks with his offense. (Chuck Godby)
By CHUCK GODBY
For The Reporter
BEECH GROVE – The Sheridan Blackhawks opened their season on the road Friday against first-time opponent Greenwood Christian Academy and jumped out to a spirited, 12-0 lead. By halftime, though, they were trailing by a 21-12 margin and reeling from eight first half penalties, most of them the crucial kind that sent them going backwards.
Then, to open the second half, SHS fumbled near the red zone and the host Cougars responded on the very next play with a 75-yard scoring pass and all hope appeared lost, down 29-12.
To make a long story short, Sheridan staged a miraculous comeback and caged the Cougars, 32-29.
The win on a weed-infested Beech Grove Middle School football field gave Jake Chesney his first as Sheridan’s coach, and snapped the school’s streak of four straight season-opening losses.
“I can’t complain too much,” the obviously relieved coach said afterwards. “A win is a win is a win.”
He admitted some frustration with his team’s first half play.
“We preach discipline. The bottom line is we can’t have that many penalties,” Chesney stressed.
“We’ll go back and look at the film, but over all I’m happy,” he added. “This is our brand of football. We’re in shape, we’re physical and we’re going to wear teams down.”
Sheridan’s defense – flustered at times by the 0-1 Cougars’ talented quarterback Trey Dodson – was at its best in the fourth quarter after Jon Barnes scored his second rushing touchdown to close the gap to 29-26. The Hawks forced a GCA fourth down and 30 yards to go.
A short punt gave SHS ideal field position on the host’s 24-yard line. Two straight carries by Alex Cravens got the ball to the one where he went down with a leg cramp, setting the stage for Barnes third TD … This one the game winner.
Sheridan got on the scoreboard first when Cravens and Jaden Dunbar sacked Dodson in the end zone, forcing a fumble that Dunbar recovered. Barnes scored next on a 7-yard scamper and had a 1-yard burst to open the fourth frame.
Cravens had a 22-yard scoring run in the third.
The Hawks will play their home opener next Friday night against Alexandria.
